EIGHTEENTH MEETING

STATE OF MINNESOTA EIGHTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-SECOND SESSION
AGRICULTURE FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES

Representative Mike Sundin, Chair of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, called the virtual meeting to order at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, March 15, 2021, pursuant to House rule 10.01. The meeting was broadcast via Zoom and House Public Information Services.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll. A quorum was present.

Members present:
SUNDIN, Mike, CHAIR
VANG, Samantha, VICE CHAIR
ANDERSON, Paul, Minority Lead
BURKEL, John
ECKLUND, Rob
HANSEN, Rick
HANSON, Jessica
KLEVORN, Ginny
LIPPERT, Todd
LUECK, Dale
MILLER, Tim
NELSON, Nathan
THOMPSON, John

Rep. Anderson moved to approve adoption of the minutes of the previous meeting. The motion prevailed. The minutes from the March 10, 2021 meeting were adopted.

HF 1524 (Sundin) Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, and Agriculture Utilization Research Institute budget established; border-to-border broadband fund account money transferred; agriculture policy and technical changes made; biofuels program and advisory committee created; and money appropriated.

Rep. Sundin moved HF 1524 to get the bill before the committee.

Colbey Sullivan, House Research, provided a walkthrough of Article 1.

Sherry Kromschroeder, Finance and Budget Director, MDA, provided a walkthrough of Article 2.

Testifying:
Tristan Wilmes, CFS Cooperative and MN Crop Production Retailers Association
Bill Bond, MN Crop Production Retailers Association Executive Director
Timothy J. Rudnicki, Executive Director, Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association

Chair Sundin noted that the MN Nursery and Landscape Association, MN Farm Bureau, and MN Farmers Union submitted written testimony.

Chair Sundin laid over HF 1524.

HF 1059 (Burkel) Wolf and elk depredation payment funding provided, and money appropriated.

Rep. Burkel moved that HF 1059 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Agriculture Finance bill.

Rep. Burkel moved the A1 amendment. The motion prevailed. The amendment was adopted.

Testifying:
Shayne Isane, Minnesota Farm Bureau
Bruce Kleven, Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association

Chair Sundin laid over HF 1059, as amended, for possible inclusion in the omnibus Agriculture Finance bill.

HF 1547 (Lueck) Food handler license account and vending machine inspection account created.

Rep. Lueck moved that HF 1547 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Agriculture Finance bill.

Testifying:
Katherine Simon, Director of the MN Department of Agriculture’s Food and Feed Safety Division

Rep. Lueck renewed his motion that HF 1547 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Agriculture Finance bill. HF 1547 was laid over.

HF 800 (Wolgamott) Meat and poultry processing workplace safety provided, rulemaking authorized, report required, and money appropriated.

Rep. Vang moved HF 800 to get the bill before the committee.

Rep. Wolgamott presented HF 800.

Rep. Vang moved the A4 amendment. The motion prevailed. The amendment was adopted.

Testifying:
Matt Utecht, president UFCW Local 663
Steve Schneider, Schneider Custom Meats
Yolanda Martinez, UFCW Local 663 member
Tamara Nelsen, Executive Director, MN AgriGrowth
Brian Schatz, President of the Minnesota Association of Meat Processors
Ma Elena Gutierrez, Fe y Justicia
Matthew Sheets, Land Stewardship Project
Pamela Lomeli, Organizer

Rep. Vang renewed her motion that HF 800, as amended, be recommended to be referred to the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law committee.

AYES:
SUNDIN
VANG
ECKLUND
HANSEN, R.
HANSON, J.
KLEVORN
LIPPERT
THOMPSON

NAYS:
ANDERSON
LUECK
MILLER
NELSON

PASS/ABSTAIN:
BURKEL

There being 8 ayes and 4 nays, the motion prevailed.


Chair Sundin adjourned the meeting at 2:29 P.M.





_______________________________
Representative Mike Sundin, Chair





_______________________________
Kyle Smith, Committee Legislative Assistant